On a daily basis we’re forced to make choices. Do we turn left or right? Do we get up or sleep in? Do we hold the door open for the next person or do we keep moving? Do we choose God’s way or do we choose some other way? Obviously, some choices are bigger than others, but we all have to live with the consequences of each one. In the 27^th chapter of Matthew, Pontius Pilate asks the following question: “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” It may seem from our vantage point that this is an easy choice. However, we have the advantage of a complete bible and the benefit of hindsight. The people in the bible didn’t have those same advantages. The choice for them is really between the familiar and a completely new paradigm. I know that may sound a little strange, but that’s exactly what it was to the people of that time. Barabbas was the familiar. He represented the corporeal. The familiar is often comfortable. We like what we can quantify, feel, and see. Oftentimes, ironically, we hold on to these things for dear life, not realizing that they will only lead to death. Christ on the other hand represented the spirit, and a new approach to things. He asked us to forgive our enemies, not kill or avenge ourselves upon them. The new is not always comfortable.

Even more than old vs. new or familiar vs. unfamiliar, the people are being forced to choose between two sons: Jesus and Barabbas. We know Jesus is the Son of God The Father. However, the name Barabbas means something similar: son of the father. What’s even more interesting is that some texts give Barabbas a first name. Would it surprise you to know that first name is Jesus? It turns out that Jesus was a pretty popular name at the time. Some scholars believe that Barabbas’ first name was removed out of reverence for our Lord. This obviously makes it even more confusing. Should the people choose Jesus the Messiah or Jesus the son of the father?

Again, we have the benefit of hindsight. The choices are very similar on the surface, but they lead to different ends and have vastly different complications. Likewise, some choices we’re faced with in our own lives may seem very similar on the surface, but the consequences run deep. The people in the bible had the Pharisees and other factors to influence their decisions. Of course, we don’t have Pharisees to influence us. They sort of disappeared around the 2^nd temple period. However, we do have other influences. We might be influenced by peer pressure or societal norms and expectations. Sometimes, we even convince ourselves that a given choice isn’t really that bad. In essence, we rationalize and convince ourselves that something is right, when we know deep down that it isn’t.

Peer pressure may sound like something that’s associated only with children. However, grownups can also be affected by peer pressure. Take a look at your closet, where you live, how you speak, what you eat, how you behave around certain people. We may call it fitting in sometimes, but we are all being influenced in some measure. In fact, entire nations and movements may be the result of mob mentality and peer pressure. Oftentimes, those movements may end up being object lessons for future generations. Sadly, the foolishness of our choices is often only fully realized after the damage has been done.

The fact is it’s not easy to stand against the crowd. It’s much easier to follow. No one likes to be shouted down. While everyone is shouting Barabbas, your shouts of Jesus may be drowned out…for the moment. We are talking about eternity here. This too shall pass. In the first Chapter of Hebrews (verse 3), the Greek word apaugasma is used to describe Christ. The word means reflected glory or “shining forth, of a light coming from a luminous body”. Christ reflected God to a dying world. That mantle has been passed on to us. Our choices, how we treat our brothers, how we treat our sisters, and even how we treat our enemies is a shining example to others. So, the choices we make can have longstanding implications, not just for ourselves, but also for others. The world needs light. It needs truth. It needs love. We are the children of The Light. Be, then, that light. Shine forth!